Despite growing international criticism of his government's bloody crackdown on illegal drugs, the Philippines top diplomat told world leaders Saturday that the rule of law governs the campaign to eradicate the illicit substances, which he said have stunted the country's development.
According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, President Rodrigo Duterte's crackdown is guided by a respect for human rights and the legal system, even though thousands of drug dealers and users have been killed in recent months.
"The rule of law and strict adherence to due process fully governs our campaign against corruption and criminality, including the fight against illegal drugs," he said.
Despite the growing alarm and international criticism, including from President Barack Obama and human rights watchdogs, Duterte has said he won't stop the campaign.
According to the President, killing drug suspects is lawful if police act in self-defense and urged citizens with guns to shoot and kill drug dealers who resist arrest. Witnesses have accused some police of gunning down people suspected of being involved in illegal drugs.
Yasay, who was addressing the UN General Assembly during its annual ministerial meeting Saturday, said the government is determined to eradicate the distribution, sale and use of illegal drugs because they threaten the country's peace and order "which, in turn, impedes our sustainable development goals."
Yasay acknowledged the scrutiny that the drugs crackdown has evoked from the international community.
"We urge everyone to allow us to deal with our domestic challenges in order to achieve our national goals, without undue interference," he said.
Source: Philippine Star
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